Second case of avian influenza in Canada
Environment Canada says a highly pathogenic avian influenza first identified on a farm on the Avalon Peninsula has been found in birds around the St. John's area.
Environment Canada had confirmed the H5N1 virus, has been found in wild birds in areas like Bowring Park, Quidi Vidi Lake and other areas frequented by flocks of birds.
Cases of H5N1 were first identified on the island around mid-December on an exhibition farm on the island.
The virus could have come from Europe in recent months, as some species of geese not usually seen in North America have been found in the province following an October windstorm.
Offlu statement (23 December 2021): The recent detection of an H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) virus in Newfoundland, Canada represents the first identification of goose/Guangdong/1/96-lineage (Gs/GD/96) H5 HPAI virus in the Americas since June 2015. This is cause for concern for wild birds, zoological collections, and poultry in the Americas.
